Boomtown Fair

Starting in the underground over a decade ago and booming into a full-blown temporary city that appears and disappears in under a week, Boomtown Fair is the UK’s largest independent festival and the grandest affair of the season. Around 66,000 attendees make their way to the Matterley Estate in Hampshire to immerse themselves in a mythical world of music and theatrics, where over 500 artists perform across 27 main stages and 80 interactive street venues.

Nearly every genre under the sun is found at Boomtown, from bluegrass and jazz to reggae, electronic, hip-hop, rock, pop, and beyond. Boomtown Fair’s diverse lineup features grassroots and superstar artists alike, from local names to international luminaries. Most of the lineup is kept a secret until right before the festival, but previous years saw notable acts like DJ Tennis, Four Tet, Overmono, Damian Marley, Gorillaz, Chris Lorenzo, Honey Dijon, and many more.

The make-believe town is sprinkled with hundreds of actors and follows a storyline that plays out throughout the five-day event, bringing the festival grounds and decorations to life. Attendees are encouraged to join the theatrics and become their own character for the whole festival. There is an ongoing narrative that continues each year at Boomtown, with endless stories and adventures to discover and be a part of. Each year brings a new storyline and an array of districts, each with their own distinct visuals and vibe.

Boomtown Fair

Image via Boomtown Fair

Celebrating its 15th year, this year’s event takes place in Hampshire on August 9-13, 2023 and features nine unique districts as part of Chapter 2: The Twin Trail. Attendees get to choose which district to be a part of and camp in, and are encouraged to dress and act in accordance to each area’s vision.

The Botanica district is flourishing with nature and greenery with sounds across hip-hip and electronic.

Oldtown is home to Boomtown’s traditional ways, with free spirits roaming the whimsical streets where circus performances and sideshows bring the area to life, while foot-stomping folkloric cadences soundtrack the district.

Boomtown Fair

Image via Boomtown Fair

Copper County harnesses the power of invention and liberation, creating a town exploding with art, culture, and celebration, perfumed with psychedelic grooves and funky tunes.

Metropolis is at the forefront of cutting-edge tech and ideas, so much so that attendees may find themselves caught in a hypnotized state just outside of reality; the forward-thinking district is home to modern sounds like techno, house, acid rave, breakbeat, and disco.

Letsbe Avenue is the embodiment of living theater and the hub of the town, where you can find all public services and amenities that are found in any real town, including a wellness center; this dynamic district brings a spectrum of upbeat sounds made for party animals.

Grand Central is home to the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the stomping grounds of some of the festival’s largest acts, from hip-hop to post-punk.

Origin is where you will find many huge DJs performing on a monumental stage, making it the perfect area to dance to grand sounds of drum & bass and jungle.

Forest Parties offer a grounding escape to a magical woodland soundtracked by reggae, dub, jungle, and Afrocentric sounds.

Boomtown Fair

Image via Boomtown Fair

Area 404 is where counter-culture rules amongst punks, rebels, and ravers in a post-apocalyptic dystopia. Find hardcore beats and obscure basslines in the anarchists’ paradise.

Boomtown’s ethos involves creativity, connection, and celebration, all while respecting yourself, others, and the planet. Enter an otherworldly realm of music, theatrics, and community at Boomtown Fair. Tickets are on sale now.

Boomtown Fair

Image via Boomtown Fair